General Information

Enrollment

When you have decided to book a language course with Columbus Languages Abroad, please complete an enrollment form and sent it to us in the mail or by fax. You are also welcome to complete our online enrollment form.

After receipt of your booking we will send you written confirmation of your booking. In due time before your departure you will receive thorough travel documents including information on the language school, respective accommodation, and further travel tips.

Application Deadlines

We do not have any application deadlines. It is, however, generally true that the earlier you book, the better. Popular language schools and accommodations can be fully booked at an early time, especially during high season (July through September), and short-term bookings will not be able to reserve their first choices.

For countries with visa provisions, for example the United States of America, Australia, and Canada, bookings should be made no less than two months before the planned departure.

Arrival and Departure

The arrival date for most schools is the Sunday before the language course commences, and departure is the Saturday after the course has ended. Booking extra nights of accommodation either before or after course dates is not usually a problem.

Holidays

In almost all schools, classes on national holidays are cancelled without replacement. To the best of our knowledge we have itemized the holidays on which classes will be cancelled in the price list for each language school. Course and accommodation prices are not altered due to holidays.

Price Differences

The price differences between individual schools and course locations are not synonymous with differences of quality. The cost of living as well as exchange rates highly influence prices. Because of the Euro's current strength and a lower cost of living, language tours to Latin America are very priceworthy at the present moment.

Course Flexibility

Our language courses are very flexible, and you are welcome to combine any of the various course types and accommodations. For example, you can book an Intensive Group class with accommodation in a host family with full-pension for the first four weeks and then a two week Standard Individual Training class with an accommodation in a host family with half-pension.

Of course, you can also book a language course without an accommodation arranged by us.

Language Course and Travel/Vacation

Many of our language students combine their language tour with a vacation. Our team of highly enthused and skilled travelers will offer you numerous travel tips for your respective travel destination.

Application Sequence of Events

It is best to speak with your employer concerning an appropriate time period for your vocational leave. We recommend that you apply for a vocational leave no less than two to three months before your departure, so you can discuss further procedures with your employer.

Legislators have established special conditions for language courses (number of class hours, course content, etc.), so that they can be recognized as vocational leaves. Most of our intensive courses are recognized in various German federal states as vocational leaves. Exact details concerning vocational leaves can be found on each language school's webpage. Please note on your language course enrollment form if you would like to apply for a vocational leave with your employer.

Tax-Deductibility

A language course that serves as advanced education in practical training and continued education, can be valid as professional expenses (German law). The responsible office of internal revenue decides upon a concrete recognition. Please consult with a tax consultant or office of internal revenue before booking your language course.

Entry Requirements

We at Columbus Languages Abroad regularly inform ourselves of recent entry requirements in the countries of our partner schools and then pass this information on to you. Please further inform yourself of such conditions by speaking with one of our tour operators on the phone or by inquiring at the respective embassy or consulate.

Quality

We greatly value the high quality of our language schools. Therefore, we only work with the best schools in each country. In addition to official approvals of quality such as CEELE (Certificate of Quality in the Teaching of Spanish as a Second Language), FEDELE (Spanish Federation of Associations of Spanish Schools for Foreigners), and CSN (Swedish National Board of Student Aid), we pay close attention to our students' feedback. Each student receives an evaluation form that can be completed after returning home. The results of our evaluations are regularly appraised and discussed with our partner schools.

Certificate

All students receive an official school certificate upon successful completion of their courses.